FIU football team, coach still reeling over death of 22-year-old linebacker return to practice

SOUTHWEST MIAMI-DADE, Fla. – The Florida International University Panthers were back on the practice field Friday but took a moment of silence to remember their teammate, Luke Knox, who died on Wednesday.

FIU police responded to the University Tower dorms on Wednesday where the 22-year-old was unresponsive in his room. He was transported to the hospital where he later passed away. Miami-Dade Police are leading the investigation, but, according to the university, they have determined that there was no foul play involved. The cause of his death has not yet been revealed.

Grief counselors were on campus Thursday to meet with the team and anyone else from the university community who needed assistance, according to officials.

FIU Coach Mike MacIntyre is an alumnus of Brentwood Academy, the college prep school in Tennessee where Knox graduated in 2018. MacIntyre told Local 10 News that he grew up with the Knox family and said he has known them for years.

“I’ve known his father since I was 16, I’ve known his grandparents for the same amount of time,” MacIntyre said. He also said that when he found out about Knox being taken to the hospital he waited at the emergency room for “hours and hours.”

“MacIntyre coached Knox when he played at Ole Miss before transferring to FIU this season.

“Luke is a caring person, easy going, comfortable to be around,” he said.

His brother Dawson Knox is a player with the Buffalo Bills.

Funeral services for Knox have not yet been announced.


About the Authors
Alex Finnie headshot

Alex Finnie joined the Local 10 News team in May 2018. South Florida is home! She was raised in Miami and attended the Cushman School and New World School of the Arts for high school.

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